The roots will probably just rot more. If you can get a cheap aquarium air pump, or a cheap fountain water pump, you can aerate the water and do much better.

Small amount of bleach or peroxide in stagnant water will slow the root rot, as will changing it frequently, but that's still no guarantee you will get roots - orchid growers could maybe give you more specific advice. I think you would do better with something like damp sand, vermiculite or perlite than in stagnant water.

Perlite might help but this isn't a plant that grows in the ground it grows in trees or on rocks. I'll add some peroxide and look at pumps- thanks.